Numerous disaster relief housing projects have been proposed to help in the aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake last month, and while many of them seem workable, none (as of yet) will actually be implemented. But a new shipping container project designed by Richard Moreta and his team may change all that. Dominican Authorities just recently gave approval for Moreta’s “Container Cities” project, which utilizes a modular construction system along with recycled shipping containers, to be built in the Dominican Republic to supply housing for victims of the earthquake.

Richard Moreta is the principal architect for his own firm, Richard’s Architecture + Design as well as a principal of GMZ Design, with offices in Berlin, Mexico City, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Santo Domingo. He and his team have devised a modular building system relying on used shipping containers to create “Container Cities,” a simple, inexpensive, and easy to implement design and assembly process for temporary housing. For this project, Moreta and his team have built upon their previous experience using shipping containers for similar purposes in Bosnia and Italy.

Unlike many of the other container projects, Moreta’s utilizes a steel frame system with rubber rollers, which the containers are inserted into, allowing them to be easily stacked on a solid foundation. This system is also easily scalable, can respond quickly to the changing needs of the complex, and is lightweight and structurally sound against earthquakes. The Container Cities project also includes many sustainable design elements including natural ventilation, photo-electric sensitive cells, solar panels, wind turbines, double thickness insulation, glass facades for natural daylighting, rainwater collection, living roofs and bio-climatic technology solutions to make this project zero energy. At the end of its life as temporary housing, the container city could either be further modified for more permanent housing or be unbolted and moved to another location.

As a bathroom renovator and in the building industry I have worked on several shipping containers turned into homes and are continually in awe of them. I tend to only do Bathroom Renovations in Brisbane but would love to eventually turn my business green making and selling these types of containers. Such a cheap and eco friendly building solution.... love it and thanks for sharing the info, there is not enough of it on the net

This makes perfect sense; they have been using shipping containers in vancouver as housing for homeless people, so why not try something like this too? I'd love to see these used in more relief efforts around the world.

Yes they will be sturdy ehough but I would not build to high. What would be good is if a list was made up of furnature building materials and extr supplys then have cities sponsor houses or clinics. The containers would be shipped o the city then filled and shipped to hatie.

Chile has plenty of derelict containers, for instance those that were thrown around during the earthquake in Talcahuano (one of the main ports). Chile has also experience in seismic construction technology which is what assisted to save lives during the earthquake. Before coming up with solutions (such as the container designs), it would be important for the architectural community to learn about the realities of the countries in question--countries differ.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8543324.stm

Having made a few of these in So. FLorida, I have found the heat to be the biggest obstacle. I overcame most of it by using shade cloth, 83% blockage, It becomes a 'hat' over the units, held in place by telephone poles.

Interesting idea, but I also have reservations about how hot they'll get, and whether Haitian residents will find the design convenient or attractive. Did any Haitians participate in the design process? Will Haitians be employed to manufacture and install the units? I used to live in the Dominican Republic, and the thought of living in a metal box with few windows and no shade from trees sounds almost unbearable in the hot Caribbean sun.

We, too are offering a proven design, a 200 sq. ft. eco-friendly, earthquake resistant housing unit as a permanent solution with rain water retention system as well as solar. Inittially we will be shipping (75) housing units per each 40' container, however planning focuses on having the housing manufactured locally.
christopher tingus
We are also well versed in offering portable water purification units as well as globally experienced in addressing substantial waste water project requirements as we work with authorities....

We wish your group much success as folks desperatly require assistance.
We, too have a 200 sq. ft. eco-friendly housing unit with rain water retention system and solar as well as earthquake resistant and much more....Initially (75) units will be shipped in each 40' container, however within a short time, such housing will be manufactured locally.
[email protected]